Friday Focus
April 26, 2024
SCHOOL NUTRITION NEWSLETTER
Message from the Director
The older I get, the more this quote rings true. I'm pleased we offer so many opportunities for students to try new foods and help make healthy eating a habit. There's also opportunity for you to learn about nutrition while sampling these same new foods. It's amazing how your body can benefit from incorporating certain foods in your diet, while limiting others. Take hummus, for example. Long a staple of the Mediterranean diet, its benefits are impressive. Tahini is a key ingredient of hummus and you should be aware that it's made from sesame, one of the nine major allergens. I know I need to eat more hummus before my next physical. Wellness is a lifelong pursuit and the purpose of our work. USDA has issued its final rule on the nutrition standards required for NSLP with the goal of making school meals even healthier and providing nutrition security to the next generation. Watch and read about the newest change below. Change is a challenge, but the benefits of improved wellness for all us make it worthwhile.
With gratitude,
Kathy
USDA Makes Final Update to Nutrition Standards
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published the final rule titled, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which is the next step in continuing the science-based improvement of school meals. The changes are based on a comprehensive review of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, stakeholder input on the CNP meal patterns, and lessons learned from prior rulemakings. While this rulemaking is effective July 1, 2024, USDA is gradually phasing in required changes over time. Program operators are not required to make any changes to their menus as a result of this rulemaking until Fall 2025. The newest change is limiting added sugars.
Happy Administrative Professionals Day!
On Wednesday, we showed some love to the world's greatest Administrative Pros...Laura Tharp and Jen Funk! Thank you for keeping the lights on in this place 💡 and for making sure the auditors are happy.
Research News: University of Georgia
Agriculture and Applied Economics Bulletin
Dr. Travis Smith is an Associate Professor of Agriculture and Applied Economics at the University of Georgia. His study measured the impacts of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act implemented in 2012. He found that kids from all walks of life had healthier diets when they ate school-prepared lunches.
The study compared Healthy Eating Index scores for students before and after the act went into effect. Improvements in diet between at-home and at-school meals were highest among low-income and non-Hispanic Black students. The major culprits for these improvements—an increase in whole grain consumption and a decrease in saturated fat intake. Dr. Smith is encouraged that his study’s findings can help push the federal government to provide healthy, free meals to all students.
Menu Planning: Hummus
Hummus is made from protein rich chickpeas and credits as a legume in the NSLP meal pattern. A 1/4 cup serving of hummus equals 1/8 cup of legumes. Hummus is served every day on the VHS produce bar. Over the course of a week more than the required 1/2 cup serving of the legumes vegetable subgroup is offered (1/8 x 5 = 5/8 cup). The origin of Hummus traces back to 13th century Egypt and has many surprising health benefits. Hummus is a versatile ingredient and a good source of fiber, vitamins and minerals like manganese, copper, folate, and iron. Thanks to its impressive nutrient profile, it may help ease joint inflammation, promote heart health, lower cholesterol and support blood sugar management and weight loss. It’s also naturally free of gluten, nuts, and dairy and can be enjoyed as a delicious dip, spread, or condiment in a variety of recipes.
What is Jicama?
Cleveland Clinic Healthessentials
With its white flesh, round shape, light-brown skin and Mexican origins, jicama is sometimes called a Mexican potato, Mexican turnip or yam bean. Pronounced “HEE-kuh-muh” or “HICK-uh-muh,” jicama is full of surprises. “Jicama is a high-fiber, low-calorie vegetable,” says registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, LD. “It has the slight sweetness of an apple with the crunchy texture of a water chestnut.” You can cut up jicama and eat it raw, like you do with carrot sticks or apple slices. But it’s also a great lower carbohydrate addition to soups, stir fries, casseroles and other dishes. In addition to being tasty, jicama has many nutrients and health benefits. Jicama sticks are now served daily on the VHS produce bar!
Promotions
Valparaiso High School
The new VHS lunch menu launched Monday. Students enjoyed their favorite classics and new entree creations. Even sides on the produce bars received a refresh. Pita Chips✅ Hummus✅ Jicama Sticks✅
Heavilin Elementary
Students loved customizing their burrito rice bowl just like Chipolte, only better! The Heavilin team worked together to label all food choices in English and Spanish, portioned toppings and spoke to students in both languages. Muy Bueno, Jackie, Lorily and Tiffany! Learning never tasted so delicioso. The cafeteria is the perfect learning lab.
Cooks Corners
In the Cooks Corners' milky way galaxy far, far away, Amber made creative use of the Dairy Farmers of American cafeteria toolkit. May the (milk) force be with you.
Central Elementary
For this week's Thank a Farmer Thursday, Rachel roasted local red potatoes with organic shallots from Perkins' Good Earth Farm. 🤩 Shallots are a member of the allium family and closely related to onions, garlic and chives. They are more subtle and a little sweeter than most onions.
Promotion Idea?
Get Caught Reading month is celebrated in May recognizing the importance, impact and sheer joy of reading. Research consistently shows that strong literacy skills correlate with academic success and cognitive development. Literacy is also linked to better overall well being, promoting healthier behaviors and more informed decision making for people of all ages. You could plan a theme lunch and display books to go with it. Think of all the ideas... a mystery, detective, hero, lovable monster, history... Let books be your decorations and give them away. The video below shows all the different books to support a "Sea World" theme.
Five Fun Facts About the Brain Benefits of Reading:
1. Reading can reduce stress levels up to 68%.
2. In one year of reading, children can learn about 1,000 new words.
3. Children who read for fun perform better in school.
4. Reading can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's Disease by up to 50%.
5. Children who are read to at least three times a week by a family member are almost twice as likely to score in the top 25% in reading.
For more information, visit https://feea.org/2023/03/read-across-america/
Indiana SUN Bucks
Indiana SUN Bucks is a new and permanent program which replaces Summer EBT funds. IDOE will automatically mail EBT cards with $120 per eligible free or reduced student to families based on their address in Skyward. More info at https://www.in.gov/doe/nutrition/indiana-sun-bucks-summer-ebt/:
From Ashley
Accuracy of temperature measuring devices....we have been hit twice with this violation this spring. It has not been something I have encountered so I met with SmartSystems to get more information and to find a solution. When the health inspector is calibrating your Smart Shield, they will also use their own thermometer to verify the temperature and to ensure equipment is reading accurately. They noticed on a couple of our SmartShields that the difference in temperature was more than 2 degrees, which results in a violation of accuracy of temperature measuring device. After meeting with Blake, we are finding that doing a "Reboot Device" prior to doing a calibration, helps the device reset the thermocouple (probe) for a more accurate reading. We did find one device at the high school that is still not registering within 2 degrees and have submitted a technical support ticket with Digi for a solution. Going forward, when you calibrate every week as you are instructed to do, I would like you to get your digital stick thermometer and place that into your ice water, and open your Smart Shield to cross check the temps, see below.This is to check to see if your device is reading accurately within 2 degrees of 32 degrees or not. Once you verify this, you will then "Reboot Device" from the main menu on your shield. Once your device is rebooted, perform the ice bath cross comparison test again. You should now see your device in the correct range, if it is not, discontinue use immediately and please let me know ASAP so that we can get you a new device and submit a support ticket with Digi. In the meantime, you will need to use your stick thermometer and record on our paper logs when taking all temperatures. If it IS within 2 degrees, you may now calibrate and continue to use your shield. SmartSystems will be adding this cross comparison to their visits with us so that we can ensure our monitoring equipment is fully operable! As always, should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me!
New Employee: Sharon Caguia, FS Substitute
Calendar
May 3, 2024 School Lunch Hero Day!
May 7, 2024 eLearning Day (Regular Work Day)
May 27, 2024 Memorial Day (No Work Day)
May 30, 2024 Half Day, K-12 (Regular Work Day)
May 31, 2024 No School/Kitchen Shutdown (Regular Work Day)
June 3-20, 2024 Summer School Session I
July 8-25, 2024 Summer School Session II
August 12, 2024 Back to School Workshop (Mandatory)
August 13, 2024 Open Kitchens and Prep (Regular Work Day)
August 14, 2024 First Day of School
Digital Resources
Open Positions
Non-employees can apply by completing an online application as an External Applicant here: https://www.applitrack.com/valpo/onlineapp/
FS Tech, VHS, 6 hours
FS Tech, VHS, 6 hours
FS Tech, Heavilin, 4 hours
FS Tech, BF Middle, 4.5 hours
FS Tech, Central, 4 hours
Immediate Care vs. Emergency Room
All VCS employees, whether they have Anthem insurance or not, are eligible to use Immediate Care of St. Mary's Medical Center for non-life threatening emergencies. The visit is free for employees with Anthem insurance and $93 for employees without Anthem. Considering that the average ER visit in Indiana costs $1,618.00, this may be a good option for you and your family. Read more below and contact Haley Jones, Benefit Assistant at ext. 1136 if you have questions or need more information.
New for Employees with Anthem Insurance
From Haley Jones, Benefits Assistant
Not feeling well and don't want to leave the comfort of your home?
LiveHealth Online is a great option. This service offers a $0 copay to all Anthem subscribers and covered dependents. Doctors are available 24/7 on your computer or mobile device. This is for non-emergency medical issues only.
Click HERE to create an account online or go directly through your Sydney App to access LiveHealth Online. (Please be sure to have your Member ID available.)
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
219-531-3000 ext. 1136
EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS
How to Use Skyward Employee Access
Do you need help or a refresher on how to log in to Skyward Employee Access? The file linked below will take you step by step (with pictures) through this easy process. You need to be able to log in to Skyward Employee Access to request time off, print your check or tax forms. When you view your check, you should review the deductions and be sure they are correct based on what you chose during your enrollment appointment with American Fidelity.
Free Employee Assistance Program
Your Perspectives EAP is here to provide confidential, no-cost support for you and your family 24/7.
Call or text 800.456.6327 to schedule an appointment with a counselor or contact us for in-the-moment support.
Use the “Live Chat” feature on your Perspectives Online Portal to instant message with a counselor 7 a.m.-9 p.m. CST Mon.-Fri. (Remember to use your unique Access Code, and your Password is perspectives
Resources
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https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1221036&type=d&pREC_ID=1455849
About Us
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Email: kkane@valpo.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/nutrition
Location: 2727 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso, IN 46385
Phone: (219) 531-3050
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValpoSchoolFood
Twitter: @ValpoSchoolFood